Reliable heating is essential when winter brings freezing nights to the Decatur area. If your furnace’s pilot light is out, your comfort and safety are impacted. In some scenarios, homeowners can handle the issues themselves with simple furnace troubleshooting, but when it comes time for professional heating repairs, it’s time to call Jackson Plumbing, Heating & Cooling.

In this article, our HVAC experts discuss common reasons why a furnace pilot light won’t turn on, along with furnace troubleshooting steps to help you get your home back to the perfect temperature quickly.

Common Causes of a Pilot Light That Won’t Turn On

Unfortunately, pilot light issues are more common than you’d expect. Typical causes for these problems include:

• Gas supply issues: Your pilot light won’t ignite if you don’t have a steady gas supply. Issues can be caused by a closed gas valve on your property or even a local outage.
• Dirt: Dust, rust, and debris can all block gas flow to your pilot flame, resulting in difficulty lighting.
• Faulty thermocouple: The thermocouple in your furnace senses heat from the pilot light. If it’s worn, misaligned, or damaged, it may shut off the gas supply.
• Airflow issues: If your home has strong drafts from open doors, chimneys, or ventilation problems, your pilot light may have been blown out or struggling to stay lit.
• Faulty gas control valve: The gas control valve delivers gas to your pilot light. If the valve isn’t working right, the pilot light can’t be lit.
• Moisture: Condensation or corrosion around your pilot light can interfere with its ignition.

Safe Troubleshooting Steps for Homeowners

It’s understandable that homeowners want to resolve heating problems quickly. However, to ensure the safety of your home and family, we recommend you only perform visual inspections and basic checks. Safe steps for troubleshooting include:

• Confirming the gas valve is in the “on” position.
• Relighting the pilot light following the system instructions.
• Closing doors and windows to minimize drafts.
• Gently blowing away dust or debris from the pilot area.
• Looking for visible corrosion to your thermocouple.

When To Call a Heating Professional

If the above does not resolve your issues, it’s best to leave pilot light issues to a professional as they can be dangerous for homeowners. Call a professional for heating repairs if:

• The pilot light won’t stay lit after several attempts.
• You suspect a faulty thermocouple or gas valve.
• There’s a strong smell of gas.
• The furnace has not been serviced recently.
• You see corrosion or damage on system components.

Prevent Pilot Light Issues With Regular Furnace Maintenance

Luckily, many pilot light issues can be avoided with routine heating maintenance. Homeowners in the Decatur area should schedule annual tune-ups in the fall to ensure that their pilot light and entire furnace is operating at peak performance. Trust our licensed experts to proactively address any issues to reduce your risk of breakdown and help extend the lifespan of your system.

Call Our Team for Safe & Reliable Furnace Repairs

When you need reliable heating services in Madison, Morgan, or Limestone County, trust the team at Jackson Plumbing, Heating & Cooling. Our certified technicians have the skills and experience to provide solutions for even the most complex pilot light issues with same-day service to ensure you’re not left without heat. Plus, if your system is beyond repair, we offer professional heating installation with free estimates and financing options.

Call our team to schedule furnace services in Decatur or the surrounding areas of Madison, Morgan, or Limestone County.